We went to the
Vandalia Elementary School to give a brief presentation on "How Dogs
Help People", to let the kids know about the P.A.C.K. Reading program
and to let them pet our Therapy Dogs. Tony attended the event.
We gave the presentation to three groups (4th, 3rd and 2nd graders) and
after each presentation, the kids came by to pet the dogs. Tony
handled it like a trouper.

12/6/2011

Here is a brief
video showing some of the "Task" training Tony is experiencing on his
way to become Sophia's Service Dog. It includes learning how to
retrieve items of various shapes, weights and textures and bring them
"to hand". He is also learning to "Tug Open" a heavy door, turn
off a wall-mount light switch and turn on/off a portable touch lamp that
could be mounted anywhere. Tony is also learning to "nudge" the
leg of an adult in response to a medical device alert sound.

12/8/2011

To best serve
Sophia, Tony needs to learn how to move comfortably next to a motorized
chair. We use the carts at Wal-Mart as a substitute for that
experience. There are usually plenty of shoppers to provide
distractions, but Tony handled it like a trouper. He measures his
pace, well, and handled the many tight spaces with calm confidence.
Good boy, Tony!

December 17, 2011

Gifts for Tony &
Sophia from Committed Canine, Inc.

Sophia by her
tree, with gifts for Tony ready to open on Christmas

Tony's deliver date has been moved
up so that he and Sophia could be together for Christmas. There's
less than a week, now, before they will meet each other for the first
time!

We want to thank everyone who
clicked on our Donate button, as well as many friends and relatives of
Susan and Ray Rayfield who ran a Christmas card campaign for the Tony &
Sophia fund. Through their generosity, gifts arrived at Sophia's
home to be placed under the tree and opened when Sophia and her dog &
Tony and his girl will be together. Thank you, Susan, for
purchasing, organizing, wrapping and delivering all the goodies!

We also learned that Sophia's,
sister, Sydney has been helping prepare for the big day by pretending to
be Tony! Excellent plan, Sydney! We applaud your efforts to
make the transition as smooth as possible! We are certain you will
be a wonderful helper when Tony arrives.